11/04/2023
Sveti Stefan is a seaside resort in western Montenegro, on the Budva Riviera. In the 15th century the island was a small fishermen’s village. In the 1950s the last residents of the village were evicted, and Sveti Stefan was transformed into a luxury town-hotel.
The streets, walls, roofs and facades of the buildings were preserved, while the interior of the building were transformed to offer the most modern luxury hotel comfort. Among its guests were Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren, Kirk Douglas and Claudia Schiffer.
It fell into decline during the breakup of the former Yugoslav federation. In 2007 a Singapore based luxury resort operator won a contract to lease Sveti Stefan for a 30 year period. The island was subsequently closed and extensive renovations began with plans to re-open in 2009.